SWEET CRUCIFIED COCK OF CHRIST IT'S LAMIA QUEST.

Fuck, I have been looking forward to this all day after I finally finished catching up with the archived threads this morning.

Also, Echo, you are a fantastic storyteller and likely a God-tier DM.

>>23791388
seconded. Love you Echo

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Bro I haven't seen in ages is coming over with pizza and beer. We're gonna shoo the shit and Lamia Quest just started.
Aw ye.
>mfw

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>>23791319

Booyah, it's SNAKE TIEM.

So, am I the only one who noticed that the author is Irish, and the main character is named Ssen Patrick (Saint Patrick) and happens to be a crusading snake?

>>23791543
you fucker

>>23791543

No you're not, but I didn't want to jinx the character, now that we've learned about Citadel.

Can't fucking wait for Lamia Quest. Where can I find the archive for the previous ones?

>>23791563

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Lamia%20Quest

Number 10 is unmarked.

>>23791570
hopefully Lord Licorice will fix it, emailed him about it yesterday

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You finished your business in Stone Hall and, upon receiving an invitation to a ball thrown in honor of the victory, head to the great city of Grand Citadel.

Along the way you were waylaid by an attempted horse theft by Robin Goodfellow, another elf terrorist working for the Fey Court. Thankfully, Robin was a practical person who valued his own life, and the lives of his men, above that of the Fey Court cause. He retreated when you gained the upper hand, but has made it clear that he was contracted to get the Nightmare back for the Fey Court, and he is a man of his word.

You finally have seen Grand Citadel, and you can't deny the sense of wonder you had when you looked upon it. It's beauty, culture, and majesty make it seem like the closest anyone can get to making the Heaven on Earth.

But at the same time, you can see the signs that point to something nasty, that Granny wasn't lying when she said Citadel was something foul. There's Barney Pits, a huckster of new inventions who gets heckled in the street and chased away. Gregory Garish, a tailor who can't get business because he refuses to pretend to be flamingly gay. Finally, the statues commemorating your Father, and his order, the Caligo Clarus, are locked away in a dusty attic for no one to see.

The Claigo Clarus was apparently an order dedicated to helping people through times of difficult change and progress, as the Teachings of Light, which pre-date the Citadel, say that change is inevitable and good...but also painful and terrifying. The Caligo Clarus were supposed to serve as the Guiding Light, helping others through change, and keep them from falling into Darkness.

So the ball is coming up, and if we don't waltz with Lea, I'ma suffer a next-level butthurt maneuver.

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>>23791655
While paying respects to your Father and his order's history, you overheard Paladin Bobbi Odette speaking to a Conclave Overseer. She is determined to prevent you from becoming a Paladin and thus, disproving the 'fact' that monsters can ever be more than beasts. She claims that stopping you is a sacred duty, 'given' to her by His Light.

You made your report to the Occuli Internal Affairs about what happened at Stone Hall. The questions were brief, and you answered honestly. Although, they did seem to not want to ask anything about the actual signing of the contract.

That night you walked around the beautiful Grand Citadel Markets, taking in the sights and shows. You were approached by an artist who asked you a question, he had been commissioned to make a painting of you at your moment of victory at Stone Hall for the Grand Citadel museum. There were two options, one that showed the truth, warts and all; and the other that turned your people into caricatures, pictures designed to make people think of you less as people or heroes and more as sex objects.

You remembered Granny's warning, though. This was Citadel's test. Be what it thought you should be, or let it know you hated it...and you, and your loved ones, would suffer. You grit your teeth and let him use the second one, but you bought the first one yourself, and you had the artist promise to send profits from resales of copies to Stone Hall.

>>23791543
What? It took you guys THAT long to figure out the Liam Patrick gag?

>>23791693
I am not a clever man

>>23791666
You wait in the dining room area of the Traveller's Tavern that you stayed in last night. You're waiting for Gregory Garish to arrive with your dresses for the ball this evening.

You're also waiting inside, because you don't think you can stand being outside in Grand Citadel much more. Especially now that it's decided to be 'friends.'

"I know Stone Hall needs the money." Mage says as he looks at a copy of the picture that now hangs in the Conclave museum. "But is it too much trouble for people to know that I'm NOT a woman?"

Lea sighs. "Ssen thought that this was best, and I suppose dignity is something that heals easiest when wounded." She shoots you a glare. "Although the Teachings have much to say about the value of Truth as well."

>>23791693
I can't brain today, I have the Polock.

>>23791770
"Just.....trust me on this one. Please."

>>23791770
It hurts me just as much as it does you all. Everyone, you may think me mad sometimes, but please know simply that I have my reasons for what I do.

>>23791770

>>23791788
plus
"I will tell you why some day, but please dont ask me why until I am ready to tell you."

>>23791655
I finally understood why there are so few of the Night in the Darkness paladins.

They only appear when a great change is needed.

>>23791693
What, sorry anon. My brain is dead after a whole day of work. Please explain it to me.

I think we need to know that there is a line for what we will compromise to the Citadel for safety.

There has to be a point when we will say, screw that, nope Citadel, I am going to the Phoenix empire to escape your grasp.

>>23791929
And I have feeling that line is going to show up at the ball really fucking fast.

>>23791788
"Just.....trust me on this one. Please." You say.

There's murmurs of agreement. No one's denying that Stone Hall needs as much help it could get, especially having seen it first hand.

The door opens and Gregory Garish and his little sister Sophia are there. They're carrying multiple packages. He waves at you all and walks over. "I made a few adjustments, and I went to an old friend of mine to look up a few things on the Claigo Clarus. I got a little inspiration from them, and I made a few little changes. Please, go try them on and tell me if you like them and if they fit right."

You head back to your room, and you try it on. It's the same sheer white dress with the white on off-white Claigo Clarus emblem stitched into it...but now there's a beautiful grey gossamer-like hem around it, small little beads of glass in it that glitter in the light as you walk. Also, he included some fingerless elbow length gloves, with an amazing scale pattern in white on it. Finally there's a choker, a white ribbon that goes around your neck, and dangling from the center is a small, intricate, facsimile of a strange looking lantern.

It's astounding.

Everyone else looks great too, white on off-white, Caligo Clarus subtly woven in, and now that translucent grey with beads added to it, along with a piece of jewelry in one for or another that shows that lantern.

"So?" Gregory asks. "You like them?"

Now, this should be excruciatingly clear already, but it bears clarification that the harem route is beyond fucking off-limits to us. It's as delusional, fetishy and degrading as the painting was and, similarly, is also a part of what citadel likely wants, considering how jovially the audience of that public play received it.

>>23791951
"It's...amazing. I don't think I've EVER looked this good."

>>23791951
"It's beautiful, thank you."

>>23791951
S-Ssen's a g-girl?

>>23791896
Saint Patrick, supposedly drove all the snakes out of ireland.

Irish are known for having red hair, and on St Patricks day you are supposed to wear some green.

our hair is red, and our scales are green,and we are half snake. now say our full name out loud.

>>23791987
this, or speechless

>>23791951
>elbow length gloves
>Lantern

This is the all that I can hope for, and more. I was right when I first met you. You are talented beyond measures.

We need to encourage this man. He does good work and is wasting away because he cannot sell as well. Perhaps we can find him an advertisement master?

>>23792026
Ah. All the missed clues. Now I feel ashamed.

Thanks Archivist!

>>23791985
Well yeah, I actually picked harem route in the first place back before we learned all this citadel stuff. But since EchoGarrote has now apparently decided that we made the wrong choice and must be punished, we should probably ditch it and fix on one.

>>23791946
That is usually how it goes.

We need our dragon allies soon.

>>23791951
"'Like' them? I love them. The rest of this city's tailors should be emulating -you- not the other way 'round."

>>23791985
We can't have children with any of our team mates anyways. Why don't we just keep it friendly for now. It will be a life time before we have to consider breeding.

>>23791987
Your'e almost speechless. The rest of the group certainly is.

"It's...amazing. I don't think I've EVER looked this good."

Gregory nods. "Okay, great. Getting the First Lantern right was a bitch and a half, and I still don't think I did it right. Only so much a guy can do with wires and tweezers. So, I'll take the other half of my payment (Which you have.) and unless there's something else you'd like...enjoy the ball, and please look me up if you're ever back in GC with clothing needs!"

>>23792026
Best thing is that it's the original Lamia Child story's OP that told me her name was Ssen. Oh and Liam comes from the first name that naturally popped into my head when 'badass father' entered it.

Ask about how he feels about everyday wear? Something fairly rugged as we do get into battles quite a bit.

>>23792061
I didn't say you made the wrong choice. I said I had a harem SCENE, and that I encouraged you guys to pick a single MATE. If you guys WANT a full harem ALL the time, hey Citadel is HAPPY to oblige...it just will have to shift a few people's minds around a bit. You don't mind that, do you?

>>23792113
Sure. How about weaving armor into cloth?

This thread has a lot of good ideas. Would you guys ever sell out for later editions if someone wanted to buy it from you?

>>23792144
oops wrong thread...

>>23792086
"Oh we will definitely be back, We will be the envy of the Ball with these outfits, and will make sure they know who made them."

based of Neeson i would bet.

>>23792119
*shakes fist in air* CITADEL!

>>23792144
I... what?

>>23792086
Ask about everyday wear and armor smithing.
Also we should take in account that Granny recommended scale armor.

>>23792122
"Sure. How about weaving armor into cloth?" You ask.

He nods. "Not the hardest thing to do, but you'll need to find a good smith, not to mention that the materials will need to be different. I wont be able to do this kind of stitching...but I think you don't care if the people you're trying to kill think you look nice." He laughs. "Okay, yeah. Not like I'll say no to more paying work...you can pay, right?"

THAT might be a little tough...you're pretty meager on funds at the precise moment. Still, reward ball coming up, and that usually means boons and money handed out by royalty.

>>23792184
That is for later. On to story!

>>23792184
"I'll come back when I have the funds, thank you again!"

>>23792184
"We will for now, but you can expect to see us some time in the future."

>>23792119
Nope, fuck this city and its mind fuckery.

>>23792119

Sometimes I regret not making an all-monster party.

Citadel is like a spoiled child. The way, in fact, to deal with a spoiled child is not to either confront him or comply with him. It is to offer him two choices, both of which are good for you. It gives the child a sense of autonomy while controlling what it does.

What if, anons, what if we change our position? Instead of reacting to the Citadel, why don't we give it two choices?

I, though, have no clue how we can do it.

>Want to be a paladin.
>Have not yet sought guidance from the His Light.

>>23792202

"We're a little skint for now, but you can expect to see us some time in the future." You say.

Gregory looks very touched. "Thanks, oh..." He ands you address. "This is the guy I went to to look up that extra Claigo Clarus stuff. He wanted me to let you know that he'd love to talk with you. Not too many people in GC who like history."

Sophie gives you a wave as she and her brother leave.

- - Ambrose Trapp: Historian & Used Books - - Along with an address. Oddly...it kind of looks like the same card Barney Pits gave, you...you dig out the card Gregory gave you when you left his shop. Same lettering, same card stock, same nice border design.

That's weird...how'd they do that? Wood prints aren't THAT exact.

>>23792423
Oh shit. That inventor knows his stuff.

Even that too? Can we print the Light's teachings for the common people? So they too will know about the change theology?

>>23792308
>Citadel doesn't compromise. The second picture has to be sold AND be put in the museum. Citadel wants to make you 'fit.' If you do, Citadel thinks you're okay and will move on. Otherwise...you, and those who love you, will have consequences.
>I'm not going to stop you guys if you insist on flipping Citadel the bird...but just know what you're getting into.

That's echos post about Citadel.

>>23792423
Note to self, investigate this the morning after the ball, and go in ready for war because this could be bad news. It's possible that Citadel thinks naming its trap, "Trapp" is subtle and witty, but we can't afford to leave this stone unturned, no matter how fishy it is.

>>23792423
We have to explore this mystery then. We are going to visit him anyways to learn of our father's order.

>>23792423
oh shit, printing press

>>23792450
Martin Luther go away.

>>23792423
So you can brave Citadel again to see the 'sights' or check out Trapp's place, or you can see what this 'Inventor's Guild' is about..or you can just hide under the covers at Travellers and wait for the ball.

>>23792423
seems like another outcast, we should investigate after the ball, along with the inventor, something has to have made those cards so precisely.

>>23792531
No, it is Gutenberg you buffoon.

>>23792534
Free time for all.

We have to go see the inventor first. While we are still on Citadel's good side.

Or the historian. I do not mind either way. Just don't bring our crew with us and doom them.

>>23792534
Go to Trapp's. I think we need to learn more than just a motto about the Claigo Clarus.

>>23792534
Can we burn Citadel down to the ground?

>>23792570
This, check out the inventor.

>>23792574
Give it time...remember this place is as big as two tokyos, and you want to make SURE it sticks.

Lets head to the inventor. SOmeone who has a printing press already would be good to know.

>>23792593
So, I see Three for Barney Pitt and Two for Ambrose Trapp. So, the 'Inventor's Guild' then?

>>23792612
Make that four, inventor's it is!

>>23792626
Turns out that Barney Pits isn't just the premier member, and guild master of the Guild of Inventors. He's also a tinker. He repairs pots, pans, and other simple metal tools. 'WE ALSO DO CUSTOM FORKS!' Is proudly displayed in the front of his store.

Like Garish Garments, it's not as...attractive as the other stores. The lettering has faded, the glass is a little dingy, and someone's thrown some kind of fruit at his 'INVENTOR'S GUILD' sign that hangs below his Tinker's Shingle.

There's a small button next to his door that says 'PUSH ME FOR SERVICE!'

>>23792704
push the button

>>23792704
Doorbells? Oh this mofo's going places.

Push the button cautiously.

>>23792715
You push the button and you hear a cheery little assortment of bells.

"One moment!" You hear a voice from behind say.

Then the door is flung open and there's the great Guild Master himself. He's wearing that red jacket you saw from yesterday...you think you recognize Gregory's work actually. "Hello, and welcome to Tin Pits' Tin, when you think of all your tin needs, remember, the prices don't get any lower than the Pits!" He says with a flourish and a bow. "Can I interest you in our custom dinnerware sets? Reasonable rates and you get to pick the...you!" He says, staring at you. "You...you actually came?!" He pauses. "I mean, you're not here cause you need a new soup ladle...right?"

>>23792806
That too, but I want to see this steam machine. And what you used to make this card.

How did you do that? The door... bell?

>>23792806
We keep our words.

>>23792844
beat me to it, this

Greet him. Tell him we're always interested in the new. Especially things that are useful, like hot water.

... I'm starting to think bolstering another land spirit on the idea of the Light and change for the better might be our only option to fight citadel.

>>23792844
This.

>>23792806
Believe it or not, bit I keep my word and i am actually interested in what you're trying to do.

>>23792450
Remember, anon, though, that the printing press emerged at a perfect time in our world. We need the right intellectual, educational, and economical backdrop to make it work.

>>23792870
>New land spirit

I rather not bring the army of the Phoenix Empire into the war, though.

We can't use the elves' one either. None of the land spirits will be any different in the long run.

>>23792844
"That too, but we keep our word, I want to see this steam machine. And what you used to make this card." You say. "Also, how did you do that? The door... bell?"

"Hmm? Oh that...come in, come in!" He motions for you all to enter. His place is an explosion of scrap iron, bronze, and tin. Lots of forks and spoons. "If you will look here..." He point to beside his door. "When you pushed that button, it unwound this spring here..." He's rewinding a cog with a key. "That caused these wheels to turn these little metal rods, which hit these little bells in order." The thing's about as big as a loaf of bread and needs its won table to sit upon. "It's a nice curiosity, the original inventor wanted to make it smaller, but he's now working on a fishing boat." Barney sighs. "Now, as for my special 'cascade' machine...uhhh...you may have to wait. There was a slight mishap, and a chunk of it slightly...melted. I'll need to contact the original maker of it, or see if I can put together his plans. But, you're interested in the cards? Okay...hold on...I'll dig that thing out from here..." He opens a bunch of closets filled with small models and a lot of rolled up papers. "It's very useful, but people get touchy when I make a lot of them, say I'm a nuisance and littering..." He pushes stuff out of the way. "I think something bad happened to the guy I bought it from, actually...but I've got about six other people who come by for these things, so I keep it around." He pulls out something that looks like a horizontal vice, and then takes out small little boxes one after another after another. "Takes a lot to set it up too...so, you're interested in making your own calling cards? Not that I'm saying anything bad about the woodprints...nope, nothing bad at all." He says cautiously, you get the feeling that he's been in hot water for things like this before.

>>23793024
So he gathers the plans of geniuses of the age, who were oppressed by Citadel.

Maybe he is immune as Iren is?

>>23793098
I think ALL of these ones that do not follow the citadels ways are immune or highly resistant to its influence, but it can still see and punish them in other ways.

>>23793024
Ever make anything else with it? Books maybe?

>>23793129
I am for this.

>>23793129
"Ever make anything else with it? Books maybe?"

Barney's hand slips and the press slams on his fingers. "GAH!" He pulls his fingers free and shakes his head. "Heh, I'd like to, but the last time I tried making something that big...it didn't go well." He gestures to his smashes fingers. "I think it's got something to do with the restraints and the size, it always breaks. I think it just can't exist at that level...but I can at least make these little cards."

"Is there anything here that you yourself, made?" Mage asks, looking at all the little models.

"That." He points at the wall. "It's my pride and joy. I haven't got the wheels right yet, wood wont work and wagon wheels aren't qquite right...and the chain keeps snapping or the gears clog...but I know it'll work."

Barney Pits has made a bicycle.

>>23793127
May be we can learn from them how they do it.

Maybe we are placed in this situation at just the right time for change. After all, the Light only ordains a paladin of change when the time is right.

>>23793222
"So!" He has all the little letter boxes set up and the tray all prepared. "Who's name am I putting on here?"

>>23793222
Can we get him to go to First Woods? Can the wood spirit protect him there?

Also, I vote for an army of Light riding on bicycles charging into the enemy! Or bicycles with armor plating.

>>23793249
Try it for...

Isen. Tara and Isen.

Make sure Tara goes first.

Tara has the designation of the hero, and Isen as the sidekick.

>>23793232
Well, it seems like Citadel fucks them over. We could do it to, for instance if we'd told the painter to go with the realistic painting, but Citadel would make us pay.

>>23793262
Maybe we could like, bless his stuff in the name of the light, or something.

>>23793222
>bicycle
>snake lady
Completely miss the point of what this contraption does.
"And... what does it do?"

>>23793289
"Isen the Audacious?" Barney asks. "What? He wants more?" He laughs.

>>23793296
If it was that simple, I think the Light could've slapped down Citadel a long time ago.

We need to be more subtle.

>>23793314
He got some already?

Is this man ahead of us in figuring it all out?

>>23793262
From proto-steam engines comes full fledged steam engines, and from those comes comes the internal combustion engine. From the co-existence of the internal combustion engine and bicycles, comes bicycle mechanics dicking around with combustion engines in their spare time and, from that, come flight.

"Have you considered maybe a change of scenery? Move out to the country with your workshop? Fewer nay-sayers to bother you out there, more peace and quiet, more natural light."

>>23793322
Unless the Light needs to work through someone.

It can protect confessions from being heard, thats all we know. I think we should try it.

>>23793314
Darn, I was hoping to give it to him to troll him.

>>23793343
Isen has been waging a secret war against the citadel this entire time. It's the reason he made contact with us in the bar originally, being a non-human bearing group, we were likely to be less under citadel control

>>23793349
The army of Light, where man flies with harpy navigators. Dropping magically enhanced fire bombs. Burning Citadel to ashes.

>>23793372
>burning citadel
>not converting, splitting, and re-distributing it
Citadel, as an institution, could be dismembered into numerous towns and villages and distributed. This would most likely break the nationmind.

>>23793309
"And... what does it do?" You ask.

"Oh...uhh...well, you kinda need feet for it." Barney says. He points at the pedals and moves it on the wall, everyone can see the chain, gears, and wheels move. "Think about it, getting around Citadel lightning quick, with no horses or horse shit! They could come in colors too." He sighs. "But, until I get the damn thing to WORK, there it stays...along with everything else.

"So Isen has some already?" You ask.

Barney nods. "Oh yeah, guy walks in, and looks at all my stuff, asks if I have anything that would lengthen his..." He clears his throat. "Sword, and then he sees my cards, and goes nuts for this. Orders a bunch with his name of it. This was, what...three, four years to go?" He shrugs.

>>23793357
And also why he has Tara with him.

I was fooled all along! We need a secret conference with him in Elven territory.

>>23793396
I like it. Spilt it into two powerful city states, one in the east, one in the west. Give them both weapons of mass destruction. Then watch peace happen.

>>23793400
>Lengthen his "sword"

ISEEEEN!
CREEEED!

Watch Isen perfect surgery just to lengthen his sword.

that guy deserves every prank we pull on him

>>23793400
Ask him something like this
>>23793349
Has he worked outside of the citadel? Did he get any business out there? How much fork-fixing work does he get here?

>>23793400
The others are actually all fascinated, looking at the other models and blueprints. Barney is happy to explain all of them. He claims that they work, but that he 'just doesn't have the money' or 'minor fault when building it' or 'I screwed up' or 'just not workable at actual size.'

Everyone lines up to get about ten of Barney's calling cards, each. He even puts all of your titles on them. Also, the press seems to snap shut again, as he finishing yours, and crushes his fingers again.

He waves it off though, and is generally touched that someone likes his collection.

>>23793497
Wait, our crew is with us?

Hold hold hold. We need to consider Citadel's eyes here.

>>23793497
"Have you thought about putting a handle on that thing, so it doesn't snap your fingers so much?"

... we need to get this guy outta Citadel.

>>23793521
I think in this case it's Barney who's being punished, not us.

>>23793497
"Have you ever thought of leaving Citadel?" You ask. "Traveling out, I mean, how many custom forks do you get?"

He shrugs. "Enough to eek by, I guess. I tried to pack up and leave for White Tree once...I didn't even get out of the fields before I got jumped and mugged. When I thought Stone Hall would be a nice change of scenery, I broke my leg in a cart crash." He shrugs. "I like it here, anyway, Citadel's beautiful, and it's my home."

>>23793556
>implying it will be easy to get him out of citadel
>>23793566
>broken legs
>muggings
He has a fucking random encounter table FULL of shit for the trip.

>>23793566
What do you think about travelling with us to the Elven home? See if a whole new world would make a difference?

Even better, we sic Isen onto guard the Inventor duty.

>>23793566
I get the feeling Citadel's wants him here where the loci can keep at least one eye on him. I want to bring him to Stone Hall, with the dorfs and lizard people, so SCIENCE! can happen.

>>23793645
Well, since we are going to the Dorven home town, why not bring him along?

>>23793603
"What do you think about travelling with us to the Elven home? See if a whole new world would make a difference?" He says.

"Uhhh, wow...that's...that's an offer." He says, blinking. "Why...why don't you give me some time to think about it. Gee, you know I have a big order for the Vallan family, and I need to be working on it. Thanks for coming around, though. I'll make tea next time." He goes to open the door.

>>23793566
Citadel may be a petulant child, but it knows enough to keep its (self-made) enemies close...

Maybe citadel would let him leave if it was under a seemingly hopeless pretense, like he was leaving not to invent in peace, but because he's just not welcome around Citadel. If he leaves so that Citadel's fantasy will be nearer to perfection, then maybe it will allow him to go.

>>23793645
I want to bring him to stone hall because there are numerous BROKEN THINGS and DAMAGED AREAS that could use a FINE CRAFTSMAN like himself.

Not for inventions, no, that would be silly. SILLY.

>>23793566
so not only is citadel hampering the inventions, its also preventing him from leaving.

>>23793645
yes!, dwarves + inventions!

>>23793668
I like you anon. I am behind this.

Can we somehow rise up a mob against him in secret (without our followers knowing, or get Isen to do it), so we can chase him out?

This could be too manipulative, though.

>>23793725
You really want to see what Citadel will DO to Barney if it looks like there's a mob out for him?

>>23793669
This is probably better. What if we get him to come to repair the city?

We ask him with the authority of Stone Deep, knowing full well that Granny will support us.

>>23793725
not a good idea, we gather a mob against him and they are likely to lynch him, then the Citadel is done with him forever

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>>23793725
>pushing inventor over the line into mad scientist
>using an angry mob to do it
>the angry mob that called him "fool" for attempting to create such machines
>simultaneously putting him outside of the dampening field keeping his machines from working
not exactly paladin material

So, we learned a while back that Explosive Runes exist here, but that you can't put them on mere paper.

Could we use this thing to mass-produce grenades?

>>23793669
Basically this.
>>23793725
Too dickish
Am I the only one worried that the citidel might later our followers to match that carving?

>>23793742
Opps. That was a lapse in my common sense there.

>>23793752
I think EchoGarrote said before that our followers are (mostly) immune to Citadel's influence thanks to us. Which is why we have to keep them in line with its expectations rather than it just influencing them.

>>23793752
Barney also doesn't WANT to leave Citadel, this is his home. Fuck if he's going to let a little bad luck chase HIM out. Same with Gregory, Citadel is his home, so what if his business is very slow and usually demeaning pet clothes.

This is THEIR home and THEIR lives.

They're willing to fight for it.

BRB dinner

Still betting blessing his machines in the name of the Light might protect them from Citadel.

>>23793744
This, definitely. We're already raising money to repair Stone Hall; we need someone with ideas for how to improve it. We can very subtly hint that there might be opportunities for his skill when reconstructing much of a city from the ground up, without ever saying that we want him to keep working on his other inventions. (In fact, he should leave them behind so Citadel thinks he'll be back. Make the purpose of the trip clearly temporary, then talk to him later in Stone Hall about staying permanently and inventing.)

>>23793751
Sometimes /tg/ surprises me.

>>23793788
Uhmmm. Perhaps we are thinking about it wrong. Maybe we can do it in Citadel's sphere of influence. I am for respecting this man's wishes, no matter how hard it makes our job.

>>23793799
>>23793788
Citadel may be his home, but there is an entirely valid reason for him to go to stonehall if he chooses.

I don't know where the elven land offer came from.

>>23793821
>Elven home

Initially, we thought Elven home was the only safe area as the land spirit is still alive. However, another anon suggested Dwarven home or Stone Deep and we all agreed that it is a better choice.

He said that he'll think about it. We can put if off for now, I say we head to the historian to give it a look real fast. More info is better.

>>23793799
I am for this.

Sometimes I wonder if /tg/ was in charge of the world we would have a solution for all the problems in the world.

>>23793791
Worth a shot.

>>23793848
yeah. he'll think about it. but he's thinking of elves because of our poor decisions. Tell him that we're also going to stonehall.

>>23793855
absolutely not, what color DRESSES would we all wear

>>23793855
>>23793885
er, absolutely not to the spoiler'd part. I agree with suggesting stonehall, but don't push him, since that would be weird and suspicious.

>>23793885
this, stone hall is a far better choice, and could give an out citadel could accept.

/tg/ has come to a consensus.

>>23793901
Aye, was thinking it in the first place, and if Paladin Avery is still in charge there, he could probably add dwarven engineering to help a lot of the blueprints.

Just make sure we don't try to push this tonight.

>>23793953
MENTION, don't push. If we even have time to mention.

>>23793966
Mention it over tea next time, we don't want him getting the idea that we are trying to make him move.

now that we've come to consensus about stonehall:

LET'S DESIGN A LAMIA CAPABLE BICYCLE

>>23794000
Itd have to be more like a treadmill then anything else.

>>23794000

So we can lead the charge of light bicycles brigade?

>>23794032
No no, I'm sure that she could work a CRANK with her tail.
>>23794043
yes.

>>23794000
Are we gonna reenact the Japanese invasion of Malaya?

>>23794000
"Well, we were also thinking about Stone Hall, there's a lot of things that need fixing there." You say. "And I really do wish that I could ride that thing." You look at the bicycle longingly.

Barney seems to move out away from 'freaked out at sudden offer to help move' to looking at you and then back at his bike. "Hmm...well, anyway. That'll be five gold for all of your cards, thank you...have a wonderful day. And remember, when you're looking for low prices..." He smiles and points at you.

>>23794032
Depends on what you want to go for. A skateboard-like platform optimized for tail-pushing (just eases movement effort by allowing momentum on wheels), or something actually designed to provide mechanical advantage (e.g. pedal-equivalents)?

If you want the latter, you really want something powered by squeezing and releasing. A platform designed to support a Lamia, with a propulsion mechanism near the back designed to wrap a tail around and squeeze to produce forward motion. Some type of ratchet, perhaps, and gearing that takes advantage of the huge amount of muscle force available.

>>23794089
So basically it is going to be big and bulky and better off being armored.
Lamia Tank anyone?

>>23794111
Tail operated Lamia tank. With mage as guns.

>>23794075
>5 gold
>50 cards
hot damn, those are FAIR prices!

"Keep up the work on those machines, they're quite curious!"

>>23794060
I am amazed that the army rode bicycles. I am laughing too hard at the image.

>>23794111
Not really; picture a modified recumbent bicycle, but with the propulsion at the back instead of the front (since people sit and put their legs forward, while Lamias "sit" with their tail backward).

Actually, that raises an interesting question: can a Lamia comfortably sit with their tail extending forward rather than backward? Not necessarily optimal for most purposes, but in some settings it would help.

>>23794089
>>23794111
>>23794120
so a squeezing-ratchet powered vehicle, heavily armored, with crossbows and mages and junk on it?

That we can also make more of, to be powered by either lamia comrades, naga comrades, or at worse, pet nagas?

I like it!

>>23794121
60 actually Mari got her own too. But Barney's deal is that the first ten are always free!

>>23794121
this

>>23794138
This has to be added to our long term goal list.

>>23794171
Tis a bit silly to be honest.
We still have to lay low and look for that dragon anyway.

>>23794186
Dragon fire fueled tanks!

>>23794121
"Keep up the work on those machines, they're quite curious!" You say.

Barney shakes his head. "No no no! When you think of low prices, remember that you can't get any lower than the Pits!" He gives you a big showman's grin as you all leave the 'Inventor's Guild.'

"Well," Tricia says. "That was something. Not sure what, but certainly something."

"Wonder why the Conclave hasn't scooped up all that stuff?" Mari says.

"Probably cause they don't want to get killed." Peri says. "Half of those things looked like death traps, especially that wheeled thing."

"Looked kinda fun." Mage says.

"He certainly has the enthusiasm His Light encourages those to embrace knowledge." Lea says. "A shame he seems to be only able to use that to make novelties and custom spoons."

"So, what crazy place are we going next, Ssen?" Tricia asks.

Rolled 15, 52 = 67

>>23794206
History buff's place to find out about the Calico Cats.

>>23794206
Historian.

>>23794206
How much time do we have before the ball?

Let's visit the Trapp.

File: 1363829824881.jpg-(16 KB, 206x186, honk honk.jpg)

16 KB JPG

>>23791485
Lumpy ur a fagit

>>23794206
I'm down with history

>>23794220
Ambrose Trapp's place looks like it's trapped. A small rectangular building, which like Gregory and Barney's, lacks Citadel's luster. The two buildings on either side look like they're...leaning on Trapp's. A candy store on one side, and a beautician's on the other. They look like they're trying to pop the place like a zit.

You bang the knocker on the door and it opens to show a man dressed in Purple Sand style clothing. He has a tissue to his face and his eyes are red and watery.

"Hello, sniff." He says. "Welcome to, cough, Trapp's Second Hand Books. I'm sorry but, sniff cough, I'm not buying anything at the moment. If you're here to ah...ah...ahcoo! Sell." He says, blowing his nose.

You can see as you replace his handkerchief with a fresh one, it looks like he's having one of the worst cases of hay fever or allergies that you've ever seen that wasn't something that required medical attention.

>>23794317
"Are you okay?"

Followed by

"We actually came by for history on the paladins. Old history."

>>23794317
"Actually, I came here because I heard you were an expert on a subject I'm interested in, the Caligo Clarus, and I was hoping I could ask you about it."

>>23794317
"Are you alright?"

"We actually came to inquire about this *show medallion*, Gregory said you helped him out with the designs for our clothing and we wished to know more about the order."

>>23794356
"Are you okay?" You ask.

He nods. "Thank you for your, sniff, concern, young lady. I'm fine, had allergies, cough, all my life. Comes with dealing with old books. Cough."

"We actually came by for history on the paladins. Old history." You say.

He finally notices what you are and his eyebrows come up. "Oh! You must be who Gregory was talking about, please, come in, come in. I was just taking lunch, would you join me?" He asks.

>>23794405
"Thank you, and sure."

>>23794405
"That would be lovely, thank you."

>>23794405
>>23794427
I suppose we could join him, but there's like five, maybe six of us. I can never decide which. Are we imposing?

>>23794427
"Thank you, and sure."

Ambrose's house doesn't have walls. It has bookshelves that serve as walls. The smell of page dust is thick and there's a hint of glue too. You can see in one room that he also repairs books too.

Mari looks like she's a four year old in the candy store next door. She's buzzing around all of the shelves, gasping about early editions and missing copies.

Ambrose puts up a nice lunch, thick mutton sandwiches, a little tea, and some cucumber sticks.

"Ahh, so..." The man smiles at you, a face of wrinkles and a bright red runny nose. "The Caligo Clarus reborn..." He pats a few books on the lunch table. "I got these books out for Gregory and I'm glad he told me to keep them out." He sips his tea. It's very very strong. At least his allergies seem to be better inside. "Your family name is 'Patrick,' correct?" He asks.

>>23794506
Affirm your family name
"Yes, Ssen patrick, after Liam patrick"

>>23794567
"Yes, Ssen Patrick, after Liam Patrick"

Ambrose nods. "Your family has a very close history to the Caligo Clarus." He opens up a book that is a copy of the member record back in the Cathedral. "There's only been thirteen Paladins of the order, since the First Age of Citadel, but your family has always been a part of it." He points to a name. "Josiah Patrick, third Paladin on record...and in all the rest..." He points to different names, male, female, sometimes two Patricks under the same Paladin. "They served as fellow Lanterns." He sighs. "It's a shame the other Occuli orders don't list non-Paladins...and that there's only so much history available." He breaks into a coughing fit, but waves off any help. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't complain. Stress causes the bad humors to build up, you know. Anyway, before I got side tracked...Lanterns were what those who followed the Caligo Clarus Paladins were called...informally of course. They were still Clear Occuli officially."

>>23794678
13 in seven ages...

Were they all there at the cusp of great changes? I would love to learn of their deeds.

>>23794678
"Now, this..." He sniffs. "This is the good bit." He opens another book. "This is history before, hack wheeze, Citadel. Cough, cough." He blows his nose. "Forgive me. Anyway, sniff, this is a story of the very VERY First, cough cough, Lightbringer." He blows his nose again. It seems the more he talks about old history, especially stuff that doesn't involve Citadel, the worse his allergies get.

>>23794725
Here, why don't you let me read it?

>>23794725
As someone who suffers from hayfever, my loathing for Citadel just intensified tenfold.

>>23794740
One vote for this.

>>23794750
What will the citadel do next? Make legos with nails through them?

>>23794716
"13 in seven ages...were they all there at the cusp of great changes? I would love to learn of their deeds." You ask.

He nods, trying to clear his eyes. "Oh, yes. The Moonrise war, the Dwarven Emersion, the Rise of Purple Sands and the uniting of the Tribes, you can always find a Clarus there when there has to be a new page of...cough cough..." This fit takes a full two minutes. "History. But my favorite is this tale, because I think it's tied to your order as well." He nods. "The Caligo Clarus are as old as the Lightbringers."

>>23794762
no.

it WILL create new, triangular lego sets however.

>>23794787
What can human do then? All is lost! Abandon ship!

>>23794774
>as old
>not older
>also not younger
oh no

>>23794787
D4's with extra sharpened edges and points.

>>23794808
What is even worse is that they always roll 1s.

>>23794740
"Here, why don't you let me read it?" You say.

Ambrose nods and goes to get himself some water and a new handkerchief. He looks very old, puttering around these books, hacking and wheezing. No way HE can escape. Gregory has his sister and her needs, Barney has 'bad luck,' and Ambrose just can't survive.

Barney said he had six customers, counting himself. Gregory, Ambrose, Isen (But he doesn't truly count) meant four, you hope the other two people who have Barney's back aren't as in as much as a living hell as the others are.

>>23794821
Weighted iron d4s with sharpened edges, all sides are ones.

>>23794833
The horror.

>>23794824
Fucking Citadel, we really do need to destroy it.

For now though, let's read the book.

>>23794824
The story of the FIRST Lightbringer that Ambrose has actually is NOT the story of the first Lightbringer that you know of, or that Mari knows of. (That one sounds a lot like something the Humors came up with.)

In the beginning, the world was dark, and man lived together in tribes. They lived in fear, ignorance, and solitude. Those on the mountain hated those in the plains, and those in the plains hated those in the desert. All lived in fear of the Dragon Who Was Of Shadows.

>>23794824
Time to read everybody a story. The one he was about to read us.

>>23794824
When he comes back, take out our holy symbol and show it to him, since he might want to see it.

And, on a hunch, let him hold it for a moment while reading the book Citadel doesn't want him reading. Does it make things any better at all?

>>23794886
This. Read out loud for everyone.

>>23794876
Ambrose has written in the margins that he believes that this isn't a real Dragon, maybe. It was either a warlord who took that title, someone who found a way to control a dragon (Or other big ass lizard), or it's a metaphor for darkness, plague, disease, and all the horrible things that killed people back then.

Dragons were smart as hell, and dangerous as all get out, but they never had designs on domination or subjugation. They're raiders. They swoop in, take what they want, go back to their hordes, and sleep. Maybe they torture or play with people the way a cat tortures or plays with people.

>>23794917
>Dragons

Uhmmm... Maybe we need to re-evaluate our plan to ally a dragon. But they are the enemy of Citadel...

>>23794908
This, it is time for science faith.

>>23794914
(I assume that you are reading it aloud)

The Dragon Who Was Of Shadows ruled over all of the tribes, and forbade them from being anything more than small, afraid, ignorant, and hateful. Any rebellion was squashed, and all obeyed the Dragon, and lived in the Darkness, never questioning, never striving, the Dragon was always Watching, and it liked us as we were.

>>23794968
I wonder if the Dragon Who Was of Shadow was a land spirit too.

>>23794968
>Any rebellion was squashed, and all obeyed the Dragon, and lived in the Darkness, never questioning, never striving, the Dragon was always Watching, and it liked us as we were.

Citadel?

>>23794968
damn, Citadel sounds like the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow reborn.

>>23794968
Then His Light came to the Lightbringer, and with it the Teachings. The Lightbringer then spread the Teachings to his people, and he gained followers they started to fight back.

They were crushed. Badly. To the point where the Lightbringer had to drag himself away from the fray, broken, bruised, bleeding, and hopeless.

Then, at this point in the story, a member of the Mountain tribe comes by the Lightbringer. Now, the Lightbringer was from the Plains. They were mortal enemies. They didn't even speak the same language.

The Mountain Tribe man, picks up the Lightbringer and takes him back to his yurt, and nurses him back to health. The Lightbringer is stunned, and then he truly starts to understand what the Teachings mean.

>>23794954
We were just gonna look for them as a proper means of laying low away from the citadel. Besides, if we do run into one, its like we were planning on raiding its hoard. Which might throw it for a loop.

>>23795038
>People of the mountain

Dwarfs? Or mountain human?

>>23795038
The two slowly learn of each other, and of the Lightbringer's revelation. The Mountain Tribe man finds the Light in his heart, and is moved to help the Lightbringer in freeing man from the Dragon Who Was Shadow.

This was the first Caligo Clarus. Someone who saw clearly, even within the Darkness.

>>23795064
Its not like rather.

>>23795064
True enough.

>>23795075
Saul?

>>23795075
The rest is the story of how the Lightbringer and the Caligo Clarus go to the different tribes and try to spread His Light and the Teachings. They have varied success, and get a better army than before.

The Dragon Who Was Shadow fights them again, and this time it's an actual fight. The Lightbringer duels the Dragon Who Was Shadow, but it's a stalemate.

Then the Claigo Clarus lights something called 'The First Lantern.' That causes the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow to 'be brought down to the level of Man, with no powers or tricks or weapons to hoist him above them' and it 'removed the Darkness of Fear from the eyes of all who were there, but too afraid to stand against it.'

Then the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow is killed, not by the Lightbringer, but by a giant mob of people, rising up against it.

>>23795162
The Lightbringer and the Claigo Clarus then go on to work to spread His Light, they establish some towns, work to keep everyone from killing each other, and then the Lightbringer passes away in his sleep, and the Claigo Clarus vows to continue his duties, and teaches his child about His Light and the Teachings.

Then it goes into who was leading a lot of those tribes, and then who begat who and so on. Then there's a big gap...and the First Age of Citadel begins.

>>23795221
Wait, are pages missing or something?

>>23795221
(Damnit that should be Caligo Clarus...that's what I get for not checking what I copy and paste.)

>>23795221
So we precede even the paladins.

Light the first lantern, that made the dragon of shadow human...
Printed books of knowledge, persuaded people that Citadel is but a city spirit.

>>23795243
Nope. There's just...a gap. It ends the history of all these random tribes and proto-cities skips a couple of decades and then boom, it picks up again in the middle of the First Age Of Citadel.

Citadel has been built, everything's great. Oh crap, a Shaper of Darkness, but wait! Here are the Lightbringers...they sacrifice themselves to save the day. Yay! Things continue to be great.

>>23795281
So there was the original light bringer, who was a warrior missionary for the Light. Then the humors got established during the dark ages, and try to replicate the story?

>>23795281
Of the Original Lightbringer, the Caligo Clarus, and all of that stuff before, nothing.

Oh there is a drawing of what the First Lantern was supposed to look like though. It's the piece of jewelry that Gregory made, he must have used this picture as a model.

>>23795322
Oh man, wearing this is just ASKING to draw Citadel's Ire. We should just say that it's simple jewelry if asked by anyone at the ball, or possibly that Gregory -MADE IT UP- because he thought it would be a cute way to symbolize the group.

>>23795281
Well, that;s something else we need to look for. That break in our history might have something to do with Citadel's dominance. Or it may not, but still it's our history and we should find out.

>>23795387
It hasn't reacted to it so far. I think we're in the clear.

>>23795403
More reason to search out the dragons, in all likelyhood they've been alive since then.

>>23795322
"Fascinating reading, isn't it?" Ambrose is back. It looks like his allergies and aches have calmed down. "Of course, they weren't really called the Caligo Clarus, that's more of a retroactive titling." He smiles. "Same with that 'lantern,' as well." He points at the drawing. "That's a stone/quartz lantern, also known as the ONLY lantern that was made around those early days. Of course it's the 'First Lantern,' probably the second to ninth one as well." He laughs. "But it's pretty, and that's what matters in a legend."

>>23795405
But we should never talk about its significance.

Want to bet the bitchy paladin would take offence?

>>23795434
So it was not necessarily a physical lantern but a metaphorical lantern that won the day?

>>23795433
Agreed. Dragon history lessons.

Ask about how the paladin order started. Give him the medal to hold as a trial.

>>23795454
"So it was not necessarily a physical lantern but a metaphorical lantern that won the day?" You ask.

Ambrose nods. "Most likely, these tales are often half-parable, half-truth. I believe the metaphor is the remove fear part, but it's likely the so-called Dragon had some artifact that gave it great strength or some other mystical power." He sips his tea. "So, once the Clarus nullified that power, he was on equal footing with the people, and there's nothing worse for a bully to hear at that moment than 'We out number him 20 to 1!' Which I think is what the lightbringer probably said. To paraphrase."

>>23795484
This.

>>23795441
>Want to bet the bitchy paladin would take offence?
That's a sucker's bet. Of *course* she's going to make trouble about us having anything remotely resembling the trappings of a Paladin. She's no better than the town full of anti-snakites that wanted us to put away the holy symbol.

>>23795573
Well, we could say we're wearing it to honour our father. The bitch will have a harder time attacking it as she'll be attacking the name of a Lord Paladin.

>>23795507
"What about this *hand him the medallion*, when did the Clarus become a part of the Occuli? Did they merge at some point in the past or where the Occuli a splinter of the Caligo Clarus?"

>>23795507
>>23795507
Yes!
I've been trying to cath up with this quest since I saw the 3rd thread in the archives and have been reading it furiously in my spare time over the last few days, only just finished thread 10, I will catch up on this one and join in, EC, you're doing a great job and i've been really enjoying it. Good work!

>>23795484
You hand him your medallion. "So, how did the Paladin order get started?"

Ambrose holds the medallion, he smiles, and puts down his handkerchief. "Well, the Lightbringer and Caligo Clarus knew they couldn't be everywhere, but His Light needed to be, so they gathered to them the wise and the good and sent them out...and then when the still living wise and good managed to escape back to them, the pair realized that they needed to rethink their methods, and thus the wise and the good were taught to be strong. Then they found out that the strong are not always so wise and good. They went around like this for a while. They never despaired, never gave into the idea that humans couldn't ever be better, and in the end, they had people who were wise and good, strong and fearless, just and compassionate, and who had His Light within them. That was what it meant to be a Paladin...once. It was not as much about the title as it was back then...in fact, people who were Paladins were considered to be fools. Who else would be stupid enough to not even go into the Darkness, but to walk up to a tribe that hated your very being, and speak a message of love?" Ambrose shakes his head. "It takes a special kind of man to look at something that he has been told since birth that he's supposed to hate, to even kill, and to have those people DO try to kill him. That person has to look at them, and to be able to still give them the way to His Light." He returns your Medallion. "Your father demonstrated that better than most these days."

You notice that he hasn't coughed once.

>>23795795
My music shuffle was playing 'Deadman's Gun' while I wrote that.

>>23795795
Do we need a bigger sample size or can we conclude that it works?

>>23795795
The paladins we truly love. The ones who truly carry the Light with them, no matter how weary, no matter how impossible.

It is such a shame that others tries to ruin it for them.

>>23795795
>successful first trial
Holy shit, LEGITIMATE DIVINE INTERFERANCE.

Now we just have to replicate the results, secretively, at another time. To be sure.

>>23795840
Oh, and you don't need Ambrose to tell you this, the Occuli don't show up until the First Age of Citadel, once there's just the Caligo Clarus, and then the gap, and suddenly there's all the different Stone Sects.

>>23795857
I think we can consider this a successful test, although we might want to try it again if we have a chance elsewhere.

Good to know that The Light can hold off Citadel's influence. Although whether the medallion could stave off a more concerted effort rather than just background citadel assholery is another matter entirely.

>>23795857
>>23795795
It worked, I wonder if we could get more of those medallions or if the other variations would work.

"What is it you know of Dragons?"

>>23795925
I get the feeling that the Humours/Citadel invented the other orders and their medallions.

So it's unlikely that they'll do anything.

>>23795925
"What is it you know of Dragons?"

Ambrose coughs and blows his nose. He's back to his allergies, damn.

"Big, destructive, smart as hell, prefer to sleep, when they wake they hunt, kill, and take." He blows his nose. "If you give me some time, I could look up some books for you."

Tricia looks at the clock that Ambrose has on his counter. (You also remember that Gregory had one, and of course Barney had several.) "Oh, uhhh, we actually have to get back and get dressed if we're gonna make the ball."

"Aww." Mari says. "But everything's so amazing here!"

You see Ambrose crack a huge smile at the thought of such a pretty lady as Peri thinks his place is amazing.

"We'll come again later." Lea says.

"I would very much like that." Ambrose says.

>>23796001
To the ball!

Be wary but still enjoy yourself.

Welp, that squares it. We're dealing with the Darkness Dragon again. Damnit. And it seems like theres no real way to slay it. It came back after all. Changed yes but it came back.

>>23796066
We can't be sure until we can uncover that missing period of history. Which should now be one of our main goals. Once we find out what went wrong, we can make sure it doesn't happen this time around.

>>23796001
- - Elsewhere - -
Comedy and Tragedy watched the Lightbringers sleeping in the bed. They've just finished...copulating...(The idea of Lightbringers having sex is stomach turning to them. It sullies the purity of what they do.) and soon they will be back on the trail of the Glass Assassins. All is well.

"It isn't...the most familiar scenario." Tragedy says.

"It has been done before. I was there, your predecessor had doubts. It all worked. Continuity was completed." Comedy says. "Peace is never wrong."

"He was wrong about using the Ghouls." Tragedy says.

"That was Rage's mistake. We never should have allowed him. He was not born inside Her, he questioned us." Comedy says.

"We asked him to join, because he questioned us." Tragedy says. "To make sure that mistakes don't happen. Now, there is this," Tragedy gestures to the pair. "And She is Upset."

"This is fixed. I will stay and ensure it." Comedy says. "As for what has upset Her...Peace is dealing with it."

"In person?"

"Peace sees it as penance."

"Peace is never wrong." Tragedy says with a sigh. "What...what happened to my predecessor after that scenario that you mentioned happened before?"

"He had doubts."

"And?"

"And then we located you."

>>23796168
(You don't see that, but I felt I had to throw it in.)

>Her
Citadel?

Shit shit shit shit shit.
Ready to fight Peace?

>>23796208
read it again, assuming 'She' is the city then it isnt us she is upset with, its her 'lightbringers' for lewdness.

>>23796189
You all head back to Traveller's, get dressed in your finery as the Dawnchasers, and find a carriage awaiting you as you exit. Apparently it was send by His Majesty, which is fine...you doubt the ratty Wagon and the NIghtmare would have made the best impression.

The ride to the castle that was once a mountain is smooth...if a little bit of a tight squeeze for you all. Tricia mutters about you growing an extra foot every time they do this just so it can be uncomfortable for everyone.

The carriage goes through a tunnel, and everyone marvels at the glowworms on the ceiling and the sparkling stones.

"Those are brilitites." Mari says. "They have minerals inside them that light up when they get hit by lightning bolts."

"Oh! So that's what caused the castle tower in Ruin Forest to light up." Tricia says. "Remember, that place where your Father..." She clears her throat and goes to marvel as you drive through huge geodes.

You remember that light. Before Father, the memories are murky at best, but you remember the rain, and the world filling with a giant light followed by a crash. You would run and hide every time that happened...

Like on the night Father found you.

You're led up the largest stone staircase you've seen in your life, to apparently what is the 'Lower South-West Grande Ball Room." according to the porter.

You start a little when you see the doorman and the butler at the giant double doors. They're wearing Dramatae masks. Comedy and Tragedy to be exact. Though, these are just paper mache.

You present your invitations, and the others, giggling and laughing, also present their cards. The butler takes them with deep seriousness. He looks at you.

"Lady Ssen," He says. "We were informed of your arrival and of your leadership of your group. Do you wish to be announced as a group, or as singles, or together as pairs?"

Hang on, Citadel wants its heroes portrayed in ridiculously fetishistic ways, but the heroes actually having sex somehow sullies the "purity" of it.

Fuck this city.

>>23796344
>96344
>Hang on, Citadel wants its heroes portrayed in ridiculously fetishistic ways, but the heroes actually having sex somehow sullies the "purity" of it.

No, it wants the LIGHTBRINGERS to be pure, YOU are monstergirls and savages.

>>23796341
Look back at the others.
"A group?"

>>23796341
Singles then as a group.

You know, <name>, <name>, <name>, <title>, and together they are the <group name>

>Do you wish to be announced as a group, or as singles, or together as pairs?"
why do I find this line so ominous?

check with the group.

>>23796341
As a group.

But we can troll the nobles so much by announcing each of us one by one, and tell of all of our exploits!

>>23796341

Let's get everyone's (Tricia, Mage, Mari/Peri, Lea) input on this.

>>23796168
So Peace decides to use ALL THE GHOULS, ends up killing 3 out of their 5 lightbringers because of how stupidly tough that is, and they blame Rage for it? When he was the one who said that it was a bad idea and that they shouldn't do it?

You know, these guys aren't exactly sympathetic to begin with, but the fact that they're also a bunch of buck passing fuck ups makes them even more loathsome.

>>23796399
THis sounds best.

Did it take the light bringers a whole day to copulate?

That... is rather lengthy.

Actually, it was a week was it not? they started before we left Stone Deep.

>>23796384
"A group?"
They all shrug.
"I would announce you as 'Lady Ssen, and the Dawnchasers. Saviors of Purple Sands, Champions of First Wood, and Liberators of Stone Hall.' Is that satisfactory?" He says with that stiff politeness that only the upper crust of servants can pull off.

>>23796419
Peace must be like the bitch paladin. How often that dramatiae recited that Peace is always right means that he felt threatened if he does not affirm that aloud for the listener.

>>23796443
that sounds fine.

>>23796440
Presumably it's not all one time.

>>23796482
Yes, you are right, but I just find that image too funny to ignore.

>>23796443
"As a group, but all of our names should be mentioned before our accolades."

>>23796475
"That's fine, but say each of our names though, after mine."

"Uhh, what's my last name?" Mage asks.

"Oh, NOW you ask." Tricia says.

>>23796443
"...add in the Beautiful Nightmares and we're good."

>>23796510
"Smith?"

>>23796512
Nope, no beautiful nightmares.

>>23796502
Well, think about it. They started fucking the night that Stone Hall fell to the ghouls.

Then we heard about it and traveled there. Then we went in, retook the city, and stuck around for another week. Then we took some time traveling to Grand Citadel.

So if that was all one go, they've been fucking for the last two weeks.

>>23796510
Adahn

One, he has no name so he's nameless. Figure that out.

>>23796512
we left that name behind when we became the Dawnchasers/reborn Caligo Clarus

>>23796545
And maybe that is why the dramaticaes are so disgusted.

It seems like Dramaticaes with any doubt of the light bringer story plan will get killed off by Citadel... So no allies on that front then.

>>23796575
I don't think that it's Citadel killing them. They're a fanatical cult, they probably murder any of their own members who show signs of doubt.

Though Rage got killed for FIXING one of their fuck ups, so apparently they kill their own for simply showing some initiative. Which in a way makes sense. Stagnation is their goal, after all.

>>23796525
"Smith?"
Mage frowns. "Fine, not great, but not like I'll use it much."

"Oh!" Tricia says. "Add in the Beautiful Nightmares as well!"

The butler nods and turns to open the doors.

Everyone gives Tricia a dirty look. "What? It is one of our titles!"

"You sound like Isen when you say that." Peri says that.

Tricia looks like she's been slapped.

"ANNOUNCING...LADY SSEN PATRICK, LADY TRICIA GREATS, LADY PERSEPHONE MARIETTA, LORD MAGE SMITH, LADY LEA UGHRUDA, THE DAWNCHASERS, THE BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARES, THE SAVIORS OF PURPLE SANDS, THE CHAMPIONS OF FIRST WOOD, THE LIBERATORS OF STONE HALL!'

The doors swing open, and there is a polite cascade of applause as you all enter the ballroom.

It's gorgeous, what in Citadel isn't, but this is the icing on the cake. The whole place is lit by countless candles, the ceiling has been made to look like the night shy by embedding it with gems that glitter in the candlelight. Servants wearing all four Dramate masks swoop silently around you, offering trays of drinks, food, and other savories. The people here look like pieces of colored paper, dancing in the breeze, and the music...oh...the maestros of maestros are here, and the food is enough to almost make your entire tongue flop out and drool.

This is Citadel at it's core, giving to those that it likes.

And somehow, you almost don't even mind knowing that right now.

>>23796661
>Already effective Tricia and possibly us.
Oh god we need to get out of this city asap.

>>23796661
>And somehow, you almost don't even mind knowing that right now.
Nope, not becoming its lapdog, fuck Citadel.

>>23796661
Politely turn down all food. Schmooze with the nobles and navigate this minefield of high society, but do so with asceticism and with our integrity unscathed. If shitty things begin to happen that give us chills or simply reek of bad juju, then accept the most humble and simple food/drink in small quantities (and secretly don't enjoy it).

>>23796661
Despite being one of the very reasons that they're having the ball. (There's less than ten other people who were at Stone Hall, not counting you.) It doesn't seem like any of the upper crust want anything to do with you.

The waiters and help do seem to be intent on either ignoring you, or subtly herding you to the side by one of the fountains.

Tricia frowns as she looks around. "You know, this is getting to be a little much." She sighs. "Sorry about the Beautiful Nightmares joke, Ssen. I thought it would be funny. Can we leave and go to Bronze Peak once we're done here?"

Mage sighs. "THANK YOU...I was waiting for someone to say that."

Lea nods. "Mmh. I wouldn't say no."

Peri shrugs. "I'm ready to have ground under my feet again."

Mari nods. "I always wanted to see a Dwarf city."

>>23796795
Refresh my memory, which of our objectives was in bronze peak?

>>23796822
Separate Peri/Mari and maybe find a dragon

>>23796822
The mages who might know how to split Peri/Mari.
And dwarves are cool. And very minor chance of dragons.

>>23796839
Separating them is no longer a goal.

>>23796839
>>23796852
"Why, heading to bronze peak will be a real... BALL"

>>23796839
"Yes, as soon as we finish here we make for Bronze Peak."

and I thought they where just going to look at Peri/Mari and patch up any problems with the merge, since they seem to like being together.

>>23796863
As far as I remembered anyways.
also didnt see that you were OP

>>23796863
>>23796839
yes, but we DO want to talk to wizards about possible mending options, and long term risks.

>>23796839
Could we possibly see if we can talk our inventor into letting us snag copies of some of the inventions that have materials issues rather than design ones? The dwarves might have some ideas and be able to get him in contact with people who are interested.

>>23796868
"Why, heading to bronze peak will be a real... BALL" You say.

Everyone groans and throws their tiny crackers at you.

One of the masked servants clears his throat. "Excuse me, Lady Ssen Patrick?"

>>23796888
Is it the peaceful mask?

Because if it is, check to see if it is a paper machie like the rest of them.

>>23796888
"Yes?"

i hope this isnt another citadel trap like the painter...

>>23796822
Restoring Peri/Mari.

Also, consider that we may want a noble to sponsor us.

Finally, we should figure out if we can submit something to the purple occulti that will help the lizard's case, along with Uncle Julian.

>>23796921
That's metagame, but it's Tragedy.

Actually, you don't see too many Peace masks. Mostly Comedy has drinks, Tragedy has food, Rage are all playing music, and two or three Peace masks walk around and hand people cards on silver trays.

>>23796928
damn we need to visit Julian, or at least find out what happened to him before we leave the city.

>>23796927
"Yes?"

"His highness, King Dorian Solomon Elegante Newgate desires an audience with you." He looks at the others. "Alone. Follow me."

>>23796863
No, but we'd decided to talk to those who could and see if they could do anything to stabilize or improve Peri and Mari's situation.

>>23796795
Anyone here we recognize, at all? How many people are here?

The King invited us; is he in attendance?

>>23796945
Cards?

>>23796966
Well then we follow him alone. You don't fuck with the King. Until we probably kill him a lot later.

>>23796985

I wonder if the king knows about Citadel?

>>23796966
>literally getting to talk to the king
oh man this is both kind of an honor and could end SO VERY BADLY.